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Horse Gathering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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AI Contract Overview
The U.S. Forest Service is conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI) to identify qualified small business contractors capable of providing humane, low-stress horse gathering services on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, specifically in the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts, with an estimated target of removing approximately 2,000 free-ranging horses. This RFI is strictly for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation, nor does it obligate the government to award a contract. All responses must be submitted electronically in PDF or Word format, not exceeding 10 pages, by 1700 MST on July 1, 2026, to Shavera Leveille at shavera.leveille@usda.gov. Respondents are required to complete and sign an official RFI form, providing company details, point of contact, relevant experience in wildlife gathering operations, and business size classification under NAICS 114210 (Hunting and Trapping), with a small business size standard of $8.5 million. Only entities registered in SAM.gov with a valid Unique Entity ID are eligible to respond. The government is seeking input on innovative, non-helicopter capture methods including bait trapping, water trapping, remote monitoring, and behavioral techniques designed to reduce stress, lower operational costs, and improve efficiency in rugged, forested environments. Contractors are encouraged to share best practices, equipment recommendations, timeline estimates, resource needs, risk assessments, and lessons learned from prior wildlife or livestock management projects. The operation must comply with Arizona Department of Agriculture regulations and prioritize animal welfare and personnel safety. Helicopter use for capture is strictly prohibited, though limited aerial surveying is permitted for planning purposes. All gathered horses must be transported in fully enclosed, mechanically sound stock trailers, and contractors must provide detailed descriptions and photographic documentation of each animal’s identifying markings. In a future solicitation, the work will include handling, holding, transportation, and facilitation of horse sales, with proceeds remitted to the Forest Service after approved fees. The proposed contract, if issued, will be a total small business set-aside under FAR 19.5, and any contractor participating in the resulting solicitation must submit a separate proposal. The place of performance is Springerville, Arizona, with gathering activities occurring across designated forest lands, and all work must be conducted only in areas and during time windows approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Springerville, AZ, 85938, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY
Project Title: Horse Gathering Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest (1171908)
NAICS: 114210-Hunting and Trapping with a small business size standard of $8.5M.
Description
The Apache–Sitgreaves National Forest is conducting market research to identify qualified and interested contractors capable of providing technical advice, planning support, and/or operational expertise for the humane gathering of free-ranging horses using bait traps, water traps, or other cost-efficient, low-stress capture methods.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the US Forest Service is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Interested Contractors are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.gov.
Background: This project consists of the capture and removal horses from national forest system lands on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. Current estimates of horses to be removed from the Black Mesa and Lakeside Ranger Districts are approximately 2,000.
The work includes gathering, handling/loading, holding, care, transportation, delivery and facilitation of the sale of horses from the National Forests. The work also includes impounding and caring for branded, stray animals while public notice of unauthorized livestock is given. The health and well-being of the animals and personal safety of individuals involved with gather operations is high priority. The work will be accomplished in a safe and humane manner and be in accordance with appropriate State of Arizona laws (Arizona Department of Agriculture (az.gov).
See attached Draft Statement of Work (SOW) for technical requirements.
The Forest is exploring non-helicopter, low-impact methods, including but not limited to:
- Bait trapping
- Water trapping
- Remote monitoring or other low-stress capture systems
- Behavioral-based methods to improve voluntary entry
- Cost-efficient operational designs that reduce personnel and equipment needs
The Forest seeks contractor input on best practices, equipment options, operational sequencing, cost considerations, and feasibility for implementing these methods.
Interested contractors are invited to submit information addressing the following:
1. Company Information-(Fill out and sign the attached Request for Information Form)
- Company name, address, and point of contact
- Types of services offered relevant to horse handling or wildlife management
- Applicable business size (large, small, 8(a), SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.)
2. Relevant Experience
- Experience with bait trapping, water trapping, or similar wildlife gathering methods
- Past performance with federal, state, tribal, or private land-management agencies
- Training, certifications, or compliance experience with animal-welfare standardsTechnical Input Requested
3. Provide input or recommendations on: Effective trap designs, materials, and deployment strategies
- Timeline and resource needs for a successful trapping operation
- Remote monitoring tools, safety measures, and animal-welfare considerations
- Strategies for trapping in rugged, forested, or dispersed-water environments
- Methods for reducing costs while maintaining humane standards
- Potential risks or operational challenges Forest Service staff should consider
4. Additional Recommendations
- Innovative techniques or technologies not listed above
- Suggestions to improve safety, efficiency, and humaneness
- Lessons learned from previous captures or wildlife projects
Response Format
Responses should be submitted electronically in PDF or Word format and should not exceed 10 pages. No confidential, proprietary, or classified information should be submitted.
All contractors responding to this request for information notice are advised that their response to this notice is not a request that will be considered for contract award. All interested parties shall be required to respond to the resultant solicitation separately from their response to this request for information notice. The Government seeks to find any small business capable of fulfilling this requirement. A responsible potential source shall have registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). Interested Contractors shall be registered as small business according to the NAICS: 114210-Hunting and Trapping with a small business size standard of $8.5M.
Submission Instructions
Provide responses and questions via email to:
Shavera Leveille at shavera.leveille@usda.gov no later than 1700 MST on 7/1/2026.